Ash receiver



March 7, 1944. E ONR N 2,343,750

ASH RECEIVER Filed May 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J fnveni-ar 77 20 WILLIAM F. CONRAN 76; aIZ-Z-arne yS March 7 1944. w. F. CONRAN ASH RECEIVER File d May 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JhvenZ-ar WILLIAM F: CONRAN y in}? aZi-oraeys 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 w. F. CONRAN.

ASH RECEIVER Filed May 10. 1941 March 7, 1944.

Inventor WILLIAM F. CONRAN l J ml 1 TI Patented Mar. 7, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE ASH RECEIVER William F. Com-an, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application May 10, 1941, Serial No. 392,982

23 Claims.

This invention relates to ash receivers and more particularly a combined ash receptacle and extinguisher adapted to be mounted on upright surfaces such as the backs of theatre seats or walls in places of public assembly or public conveyances. One object of the invention is to provide a device which will not only form a substantially airtight closure to receive the refuse, but which can also be used to crush any smoldering embers which may be put in it.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No, 357,070, filed September 16, 1940.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the backs of two theatre seats, showing one form of my receptacle mounted thereon, open to receive refuse;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the face of the receptacle of Fig. 1, showing the plunger in elevated position, with the cup partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section on the vertical axis of the receptacle of Fig. 1, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the solid line position showing the plunger in the cup to crush out any embers;

Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal section through the cup and mounting plate, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, the dotted line position of the cup showing it being removed for emptying;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the latch for holding the cup in its operative position on the mounting plate;

Figs. 6 to are views of a modified form of the device of Figs. 1 to 5, adapted for emptying by a vacuum cleaner; Fig. 6 being a front elevation of the device with the plunger partially inserted in the cup; Fig. '7 being a view in horizontal section through the cup,taken on a line above the vacuum cleaner outlet and marked 'l'! in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 being a detail on an enlarged scale of the vacuum cleaner outlet of Fig. 6, showing one form of valve; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of a preferred form of valve; Fig. 10 is a cross-section on the line lfl-li3 of Fig. 9, ofthe end of the hose on the vacuum cleaner adapted to be used with the valve of Fig. 9; While Fig. 10a is a plan View of the plunger of Figs. 6 to 8;

Figs. ll to 16 are views of the preferred embodiment of my invention; Fig. 11 showing the dotted line position of the plunger in elevated position, and the solid line position when fully lowered; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 11 with parts broken away to show the cup and the mounting for the back of the theatre seat more clearly; Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 taken on a vertical section through the vertical axis of the cup and mounting, showing the manner-of assembly of the cup, plunger and mounting, with the cup in its lowermost position; Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, showing the'plunger in elevated position; Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken across the back of the mounting, showing the latching means for the cup; while Fig. 16 is a view in horizontal section near the top of the cup.

In places of public assembly where smoking is permitted, it is desirable to have receivers mounted at frequent intervals on the backs of seats to receive burnt matches, cigarette and cigar butts and the like, and it is necessary not only that this device be simple of operation but that it be capable of extinguishing any smoldering material put in it. In addition it is highly desirable that it be sufiiciently fool proof to prevent children from spilling the ashes on the floor, and yet that the device be adapted for easy emptying by any authorized person. To achieve these objects, I have invented an ash receiver for attachment to the back of a theatre seat, wall or other upright surface, which has a cup that is preferably open-top, and a closure or plunger adapted for hand manipulation which can out off substantially all the oxygen supply to any smoldering material that may be in the cup, by means of the close fit with the walls of the cup and which may crush out any burning embers.

Referring first to the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the device is shown in Fig. 1 suspended across the back of the junction of two theatre, seats .15, the three principal elements in the device being the mounting, the cup 20 and the plunger 351. The plunger and cup are slidably carried on a mounting plate It, the cup being adapted to slide in a horizontal direction and the plunger in a vertical direction, the three parts cooperating with a latching means 40 in such manner as, to perform all the functions above mentioned.

The mounting plate [6 can be fastened to the backs of the seats. I5 by means of screws l1, and is permanently affixed in this manner. The cup 20 to receive the smokers refuse is slidably mounted on the lower part of the face of the plate 16 by means of a tongue 2| extending horizontally across the back of the cup for the major portion of the width, and engaging a T-slot l8 across the face of the plate. The inner walls 22 of the sides of the cup are tapered slightly in a vertical dimension so that they are thicker at the bottom than at the top, and, if desired, the

front wall of the cup can be similarly tapered so that its inner face 24 slopes inwardly toward the bottom, as shown in Fig. 3. To prevent removal of the open-top cup except when being emptied, and to keep it in proper register with the plunger or closure to be described later, a latch or similar locking means 46 is provided. Any suitable means can be made use of, but in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 I have shown a latching device consisting of the following parts. Carried in a recess 42 at the left lower part of the plate [6 is a latch member 43 mounted on a pivot 44 with the head 45 of the latch extending through the face of the plate. This latch head is pressed by the usual coiled spring so that it normally extends into a notch 46 in the back of the cup. When the head 45 extends into the notch, the notch is held in its proper relation to the plate and to the plunger.

To withdraw the latch head 45 and release the cup for removal by sliding laterally to the right, as appears in Fig. 4, a key member 41 can be inserted through a horizontal slot 48 on the left side of the plate. The end of this key member is bevelled in such manner as to engage the rear end of the pivoted latch member 43 and, pressin against the tension of the coiled spring, will cause retraction of the latch head 45. It will be obvious that in th absence of a key of the proper dimensions and shape properly placed in this slot, the cup cannot be freed from the plate and it will be impossible for any meddler to spill the ashes. On the other hand, any authorized person equipped with the proper key can release the cup quickly and easily so that the emptying of a large number of these devices at the close of the day will prove a comparatively simple task. It will be obvious that various other forms of latches or looks could be employed instead of the one just described.

The closure for the top of the cup comprises a vertically movable plunger 38 shaped to fit snugly inside the cup and tapered to conform to the tapered walls 22 and 24 0f the cup so as to provide a substantially airtight closure. A handle 3| can be formed on the upper surface of the plunger to facilitate its movement. The plunger slides on the plate by a tongue 32 on the plunger moving in the T-slot 53 on the plate, the slot extending preferably from a point near the upper end of the plate to a point just above the horizontal slot l8 which carries the cup. The tongue 32 on the plunger is near the upper part of the plunger so that, when lowered, the plunger extends below the lower end of the vertical slot 53 clear to the bottom of the cup, as shown for instance in Fig. 3. The back of the cup is cut away at 25, just above the horizontal slot l8 carrying the cup, so that the tongue 32 of the plunger extends down below the upper edge of the cup when the plunger is in its lowermost position. The flanges of the T-slot 53 do not extend below the top of the cup and are a continuation of the edges 25. It will be obvious that with this arrangement of parts,when the latch means 159 is engaged in the notch 25 in the back of the cup, the cup and plunger are held in registry; and it will further be obvious that the described tapers on one or both of the cup and plunger walls permit proper engagement of the parts, even when they become slightly worn. If desired, rubber buttons 29 can be put on the bottom of the cup to prevent noise when the plunger comes down into the cup.

The normal position of the plunger in this embodiment of my invention is a raised one in which the lower end of the plunger is above the upper edge of the cup. Thus in Fig. 1 the plunger is shown with its lower edge a short distance above the cup. In Fig. 2 this position is shown dotted. In order that the plunger may stay in this elevated position, a spring-pressed ball 33 can be provided in the vertical T-slot of the plate in which the tongue of the plunger slides, and one or more small recesses 34 can be provided in the back face of the plunger in which the springpressed ball 33 can catch and hold the plunger. The full line position in Fig. 2 and the dotted one in Fig. 3 show the plunger raised to its highest position.

The edge of the cup and the edge of the plunger when the latter is raised provide means by which ashes can be conveniently shaken off into the cup, and if a bit of smoldering material such as a cigarette butt is dropped into the cup, th user merely grasps the plunger by the handle and pushes it down into the cup. The bottom of the plunger simultaneously cuts off the air supply by its contact with the walls of the cup and squeezes out any glowing particles. The plunger is then returned to an elevated position where it is caught by the ball 33, and the device is ready for th next user. At the close of the day, if it is not desired to use a key for removing the cup to empty it, the plunger can be elevated to its uppermost position and a vacuum cleaner connection inserted through the open top of the cup to clean out the contents.

If the vacuum cleaner method of emptying the cup is to be used, however, it will probably be found more convenient to use either the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 6 to 8, or that shown in Figs. 9 and 19. In Figs. 6 to 8 the construction differs essentially from that of Figs. 1 to 5 in the provision of a pipe opening 56 at the right side of the lower part of the cup, and the cup is fastened permanently to the plate. This pipe opening a hinged cover which is held spring-pressed inwardly so as to provide a closure. As shown in Fig. 8, a tube or other element 52 on the vacuum pipe of the cleaner can he slid over the outside of the pipe opening, and when vacuum is turned on, the hinged cover 51 will outwardly and the contents of the cup can be withdrawn, as shown. As soon as the vacuum tube is withdrawn the hinged cover will be snapped shut by its coiled tension spring. The taper of the plunger and cup and the lowering of the plunger into the cup are unchanged from the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5.

In the construction shown in Figs. 6. 7 and 3, the method of mounting the plunger is slightly different from that shown in Figs. 1 to 5. As shown in Fig, '7, the mounting plate consists of two elements, a box 35 and a front plate 35 fastened together by any appropriate means and made out of sheet metal. The back of the box is screwed to the seats and the plunger 38 slides on two flanges 3'! formed at the sides of the front plate by turning the edges of the plate inwardly. The plunger is slotted to slide on these flanges. These flanges can extend from the top of the plate downwardly into the cup 39 as far as desired. As shown in the drawings, they stop short of the bottom.

The form of vacuum connection preferred over the vacuum connection shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is that shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In this construction the hinged cover or flap valve 5! of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is replaced by a flap valve 55 which swings inwardly rather than outwardly and rests against a shoulder- 56 at the bottom of the cup, so that normally, when closed, it lies at an angle rather than vertically. The tube or pipe 52 from the vacuum cleaner apparatus contains a central or axial peg 51 projecting beyond the end of the pipe, so that when the pipe is fastened or placed on the pipe opening 50 of the cup, the peg, pushing inwardly, pushes the flap valve 55 open to the solid line position of Fig. 9. The peg is held axially by three radial vanes 58 mounted in the vacuum cleaner tube 52.

The preferred embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 11 to 16, inclusive, resembles in many ways the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5. In the preferred embodiment of Figs. 11 to 16, both the cup and plunger or closure are removable from the mounting. The mounting for the device shown in these figures consists of a back box H and a mounting plate carried thereby. The back box '5'! is shown wider at the bottom than at the top, in order that the mounting plate 15 may be carried in a wholly vertical position in spite of the slope or slant of the back of a theatre seat. The sheet metal of which the back box is formed'has sides 72 projecting from the back of the box, and the mounting plate is held in the box by screws '14 at the edges of the sides 12. In order to mount the box H on the theatre sea-t, lugs 13 are provided at each of the four corners of the back of the box, which lugs can be twisted out of the plane of the main portion of the box, if necessary, in order to match the curve of the seat. The setting of the lugs shown in Fig. 12 is one adapted for use when the ash receiver is mounted at the intersection of two adjacent theatre seats.

The mounting plate 75 is of appreciable thickness, as can be seen from Fig. 12. For the sake of saving metal and lightness, the back face is hollowed out, as shown for example in Figs. 13 and 14 at the point 15. To accommodate the detachable mounting of the cup without interfering with the detachability of the plunger, the portion of the mounting plate 15 opposite the cup is thicker than the portion above it. The cup 89 shown in Figs. 11 to 16 has vertical side and end walls of substantially uniform thickness and is mounted with its bottom flush with the bottom of the mounting plate 15. It will be noted from Fig. 14 that the inside of the cup at the back is flush with the surface 11 just above it. which is the bottom of the recess in which the plunger Bil-rides. Thus the plunger can ride down the mounting plate 55 into the cup, as if the cup were an extension of the moun ing. On the back of the cup, running in a horizontal direction, is an undercut or T-head rail formed by afiixing a plate 8! to a rib 82 extending horizontally along the back of the cup. To receive and retain this T-head connection of the cup. the recess in the plate which permits the back wall of the cup to be flush with the bottom of the recess il in the mounting plate, is cut deep enough so that two plates 18 are mounted which overlap the T-head plate Bl on the cup, i. e.,-lie between it and the cup so that the cup cannot be removed except by moving it laterally of the mounting plate. The recess in the mounting plate of course is out high enough to give room for this T-head plate 8| and also the latching means.

To hold the cup in proper register with the plunger and permit removal when it is desired to empty out the refuse, the latching means shown in Fig. 15 are provided. These latching means (ill are hidden in the senses that they do not indicate externally what manipulations of a key are required to operate same, and also that release of the latch causes no movement of any visible part to indicate how the cup is to be removed. To give access to this latching means there is a small vertical slot at the right side of the mounting plate in back of the upper holding plate 18, which is identified in the drawings by the number 19. This is adapted to receive a flat key 83 with a Wedge-shaped point such as can be seen either in Fig. 15 or at the right side of Fig. 11, the arrow in the latter figure indicating the direction of movement of the key for insertion. The T-head plate Bl 0n the rib in back of the cup is notched a short distance from the right as indicated at the point 84 in Fig. 15, and a pivoted latch 85 is adapted to rest in that notch. The pivot point of this latching member is shown at 86, and there is a spring 81 tending to hold the latch down in the notch in the plate 8|, thereby retaining the cup in register with the plunger. Beyond the end of the latch which normally rests in the notch 8 is an upwardly inclined camming nose 38 adapted to be engaged by the key 83, the

insertion of the key causing the latch to be cammed upwardly about its pivot point 85, freeing the plate 81 so that the cup can be removed laterally from the mounting.

The closure or plunger is mounted above the cup and is adapted to slide from a position where its bottom is clear and spaced above the top of the cup to a position in which it rests on the bottom of the cup and can crush out any embers which may be burning in the refuse in the cup.

The plunger is mounted in this sliding manner by means of an undercut slot 9| of which the surface 11 constitutes the back or bottom. This slot 9| is open at the bottom so that when the cup is removed the plunger can be slid out of the bottom of the slot.

As noted above, the plunger fits the cup snugly, though loosely enough to slide, and in this emlc-odiment the plunger is of uniform diameter throughout the major portion of its height so that the substantially airtight seal is created as soon as it is partially inserted in the cup.

As in the case of the other constructions shown, it is desirable that the plunger be able to main tain a position free and clear above the cup when refuse is to be placed in the cup, and for this purpose a spring-pressed ball 92 projects outwardly from the rear face'of the plunger, being held so that it cannot fall out of the plunger by means of a plate 93. This ball presses against either the back of the inside of the cup or the surface 11 of the slot 9!, according to the elevation of the plunger. The pressure of this ballis such that the plunger will stay at whatever elevation it is placed by the user until it is pushed further up or down, as the case may be. If desired, a small hole 96 can be drilled from the bottom surface of the plunger up to the space containing the ball. and the ball can be made of metal of a low fusing point. The purpose of such construction would be to enable the plunger to be dropped automatically if the heat in the cup is sufficient to indicate that there are burning embers in the cup. In case this amount of heat were present, the heat would go up through the small hole bored through the plunger and, reaching the ball, would cause the same to melt at a fixed temperature of say 100 F. As soonas the ball is melted, there is nothing to hold the plunger elevated and it will drop down into the cup, thus cutting off the supply of oxygen and crushing the embers by its weight. 7

The upper end of the slot 9| can have a rubber cushion 94 to reduce the noise of operation of the device, if so desired.

There is a knob 95 on the upper surface of the plunger to facilitate the manipulation of the plunger.

Another advantage of my invention lies in its protection to any clothing which may be laid carelessly over the back of the seat to which my ash receiver is attached. Assuming the plunger is in an elevated position, such for instance as shown in Fig. 14 or in the dotted line highest position of Fig. 11, it will be observed that the configuration of the plunger in a horizontal plane is so similar to the same configuration of the cup that any clothing laid over the receiver would be kept from entering the cup by virtue of the shape of the plunger. The height of the plunger also assists in keeping any article of clothing out of the cup. It might also be noted that if anything were laid over the receiver which had any substantial weight, the plunger would be pushed down into the cup, thereby cutting off any possibility of the clothing or other article being damaged by the contents of the cup.

Many variations of my invention which do not depart from the scope thereof will occur to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. A combined ash receptacle and extinguisher, comprising a mounting adapted to be attached to an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, and an open-top cup carried by said mounting, in combination with a substantially airtight closure for the cup, said closure being aligned with the cup on the mounting so as to slide from a position spaced above the cup down into the bottom of the cup to crush out embers.

2. An ash receiver comprising a mounting, and a receptacle having substantial depth detachably associated therewith, in combination with a closure for said receptacle shaped to fit slidably into said receptacle in a substantially airtight manner, said closure being carried on said mounting in a manner to slide along a line parallel to the vertical axis of the receptacle from a position spaced above the receptacle to one where the bottom of the closure contacts the bottom of the receptacle to crush out any embers.

3. An ash receiver comprising a mounting, and a receptacle having substantial depth detachably associated therewith, in combination with a closure for said receptacle shaped to fit slidably into said receptacle in a substantially airtight manner, said closure being carried on said mounting in a manner to slide along a line parallel to the vertical axis of the receptacle from a position spaced above the receptacle to one where the bottom of the closure contacts the bottom of the receptacle to crush out any embers, and means to hold said closure in an upper position for the reception of refuse.

4. In a combined ash receptacle and extinguisher comprising a mounting plate for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, an open-top cup carried on the lower end of said plate and a substantially airtight closure for said cup slidably mounted on a line parallel to the vertical axis of said cup above the latter and adapted to slide from a position spaced over the cup down into the latter, in combination with a spring-pressed ball associated with said closure and mounting to cause the closure to remain in any elevated position to which it is pushed.

5. A combined ash receptacle and extinguisher for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a mounting plate, a receptacle at the lower end thereof and a closure above the receptacle slidably guided along a line parallel to the vertical axis of the cup by the plate, said cup being removable from the plate by lateral movement along the mounting plate, said closure fitting slidably into the cup in a substantially airtight manner, whereby the oxygen supply in the cup is cut off and any burning material is extinguished.

6. A combined ash receptacle and extinguisher comprising a mounting adapted to be attached to an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, and a cup on said mounting adapted to be detached therefrom by lateral movement, in combination with a closure on said mounting aligned to slide on a line parallel to the vertical axis of the cup from a position spaced above the cup to one inside and in contact with the bottom thereof, said closure making the cup substantially airtight When in contact with the wall thereof.

7. A combined ash receptacle and extinguisher comprising a plate adapted to be attached to an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, and an open-top cup carried thereby and adapted to be removed therefrom in a plane at an angle to the vertical axis of the cup, in combination with a substantially airtight closure for said cup also carried by the plate and adapted to move along a line parallel to the vertical axis of the cup from a position spaced above same to one in contact with the bottom of the cup to crush out embers.

8. A combined ash receptacle and extinguisher for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a plate and a cup on said plate removable by sliding laterally, in combination with a plunger on the plate adapted to be moved along the longitudinal axis of the cup, a hidden latch for holding the cup against lateral sliding movement on the plate and an opening permitting manipulation of the latch by a key.

9. A receptacle for smokers refuse adapted to be mounted on an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a plate and a cup for the refuse having a laterally removable mounting on said plate, in combination with a plunger having a vertically movable mounting on said plate and adapted to act as a closure for the cup, and a latch on said plate to prevent removal of the cup and keep it in register with the plunger.

10. A combined ash receptacle and extinguisher for an upright surface such as a wall or the backof a theatre seat, comprising a mounting, a vertical recessed portion, the lower end of the recess being open, and a second recessed portion at right angles thereto, in combination with an ash cup adapted to be supported on the mounting by being slid into said second recess, a closure for said cup removably mounted in said first recess, and means adapted to hold said cup in register with said closure so that the latter may fit into the cup.

11. In a combined ash receptacle and extinguisher comprising a mounting an open-top cup carried on the lower end of said mounting, a substantially airtight closure for said cup mounted to slide on a line parallel to the vertical axis of said cup above the latter, in combination with a spring-pressed ball associated with said closure and mounting to cause the closure to remain in the elevated position to which it is pushed, said ball being of material having a low fusing point, whereby if the refuse in the cup attains a dangerous temperature, the ball will melt and let the closure descend into the cup.

12. A smokers ash receptacle for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a plate and an ash cup mounted thereon, in combination with a plunger adapted to fit into the cup and press any refuse in the cup, and cushions on the plunger to prevent noise when the plunger is lowered.

13. A smokers ash receptacle for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a plate and a cup for the refuse and having a laterally slidable mounting on said plate, in combination with a plunger on the plate adapted to be moved along the vertical axis of the cup and latching means to hold the cup against lateral movement.

14. A smokers ash receptacle for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a plate and an ash cup mounted on said plate, in combination with a closure consisting of a plunger slidably mounted on said plate and adapted to fit into the cup in a substantially airtight manner and extinguish any embers by reducing the oxygen supply below the combustion point or upon further movement into the cup by said embers.

15. A receptacle for smokers refuse adapted to be mounted on an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising an open top cup having one or more tapered interior walls and support means therefor, in combination with a plunger for the cup having sliding contact with the support, said plunger being tapered to provide a substantially airtight contact with the cup to assist in extinguishing embers in the refuse.

16. A smokers ash receptacle for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising an open-top cup and a substantially airtight closure therefor said closure being mounted to slide vertically along a line parallel to the vertical axis of the cup into the cup, in

combination with a plate for mounting said cup and a side connection leading to the interior of the cup at the bottom adapted to be attached to a vacuum device for cleaning out the cup.

17. An ash receiver comprising a mounting adapted to be attached to an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, and anopen-top cupthereonhaving substantial depth, in combination with a closure having at least the depth of the cup, slidable on the mounting from a position spaced above the cup a distance less than the height of the closure into a position in the bottom of the cup, said closure presenting horizontal contours near its upper and lower edges fitting the inside of the cup, whereby any clothing thrown over the back of the seat while the closure is spaced above the cup is kept out of the cup and when the closure is lowered any burning material in the cup is extinguished for lack of oxy en.

18. A combined ash receiver and extinguisher comprising a mounting adapted to be attached to an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, and an open-top cup having substantial depth, in combination with a closure shaped to fit the inside of the cup for a substantial depth, said plunger being slidable on the mounting from a position spaced above the top of the cup a distance less than the height of the closure into the bottom thereof to crush out embers, whereby any clothing or article thrown over the back of the seat while the closure is above the cup is kept out of the cup.

19. An ash receptacle comprising a mounting adapted to be attached to an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, an opentop cup at the lower end thereof and a closure slidably mounted along a line parallel to the vertical axis of said cup above same, in combination with a spring-pressed ball mounted in said closure and adapted to press against the mounting to hold said closure in any elevated position in which it is pushed.

20. A combined ash receptacle and extinguisher for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a mounting and a cup on the same spaced from the top, in combination with a closure above the cup slidably guided along a line parallel to the vertical axis of the cup by the mounting, said cup being removable from the mounting by a horizontal lateral movement, and said closure fitting into the cup with substantial airtightness, whereby burning material in the cup is extinguished.

21. A smokers ash receptacle comprising a mounting, a cup detachably associated with the mounting, a closure detachably associated with the mounting, axially aligned with the vertical axis of the cup and adapted to fit snugly inside the cup, the closure being so associated with the mounting as to be adapted to be moved by hand between substantially the top of the mounting and the surface of the bottom of the cup, whereby any burning material in the cup is extinguished for lack of oxygen.

22. A combined ash receiver and extinguisher for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising a mounting and a cup thereon adapted to be detached therefrom by lateral movement in a plane parallel to the mounting, in combination with a closure functionally related to the mounting, adapted to be moved by hand along the longitudinal axis of the cup between the bottom of the cup and the upper part of the mounting, and latching means to hold the cup in register with the closure, said closure fitting into the cup with substantial airtightness, whereby burning material in the cup is extinguished.

23. A smokers ash receptacle for an upright surface such as a wall or the back of a theatre seat, comprising an open top cup and a substantially airtight closure for the open top slidable vertically into and out of said cup, in combination with a plate carrying said cup and a side connection for a vacuum device leading to the interior of the cup at the bottom for cleaning out the cup, and a spring-pressed flap closing said connection adapted to open with the vacuum of the cleaning device, substantially as described.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,5h5,750. March 7, 19M.

WILLIAMrF. CONRAN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in ,the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 511., claim 111., before "said" insert "pressing on-; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of ma A. D. 191m.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

